I grew up in the small village of Lanark, Ontario and attended high school in the nearby town of Perth. I studied physics at the University of Guelph and then completed the one-year Bachelor of Education program at Queen’s University. My first full-time teaching position was at Rothesay Netherwood School, an independent school for Grades 6 to 12, in New Brunswick, where I taught physics for 5 years. I then taught IB Physics and Mathematical Studies at Istanbul International Community School for two years. I am currently in my fifth year as an SCIS Dragon, teaching mathematics and physics at the Pudong campus. Besides teaching, I enjoy coaching badminton and the High School Math Club.

Brooke Boldon

Pacific University & Portland State University

Language and Literature & Theory of Knowledge

Pudong Upper School

My name is Brooke Boldon, and I’m thrilled to be a part of SCIS. Originally from Wisconsin, I moved to Oregon at age nineteen and still consider Portland my home where my husband Michael and I lived before going abroad. I taught high school English and college composition for nine years in and around Portland and then moved to Tokyo and Hong Kong to teach MYP and DP English for six years. Besides spending my days hanging out with teenagers, I love to read, write, watch films, wine and dine, take in live music and theater, practice yoga, go on long walks, spoil my cat, and travel with my husband.

Suzanne Byerly

Language Arts

Pudong Upper School

Although I am an American, I attended the American International School in Vienna, Austria, from grades four through twelve, and was therefore blessed with the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world. I was always intrigued with the stories my friends told me about their countries. So, when I graduated from the University of North Florida, I jumped at the chance to embark on another international experience. An English teaching job in Seoul, South Korea, promised a year of adventure and excitement. There, in this environment that gave me the opportunity to learn about other cultures, I developed a passion for helping my students achieve beyond what they formerly thought impossible. Thus began my international teaching career, and since then I have also taught in Florida, Kuwait, and Eritrea. And now I am excited to be starting my fifth year at SCIS!

Amadea Chen

Anhui Normal University

Mandarin

Pudong Upper School

Hello, my name is Amadea Chen and I am one of the upper school Mandarin teachers on the Pudong campus. I have been teaching at SCIS since 2009. I received my Bachelor degree in English from Anhui Normal University and also did my teacher training there. I love students, school and education. That’s the reason I chose to be a teacher. I enjoy the time with my students and feel very proud of them as they learn to use Chinese to express themselves. I also appreciate the opportunity to introduce my own country and its culture to students from all over the world, as well as helping them gain a better understanding of China. Hopefully the students will also have more convenience in their daily life here as they learn the language. I am very excited for another great year here at SCIS! Goooo Dragons!

Briton Coombs

San Francisco State University

Grade Four

Pudong Upper School

Greetings! My name is Briton Coombs and I am thrilled to be a part of the SCIS community. I received my degree in Elementary Education from the College of New Jersey and my Masters in Philosophy from San Francisco State University. I have been an elementary school educator for over 10 years and have been living and teaching in international schools across South East Asia for the past several years. I feel at home having Asia as my home base while traveling around the world and visiting friends and family at home in the United States. As an elementary teacher I have had the opportunity to teach and learn alongside some amazing children and colleagues and am looking forward to my new experience living and working in Shanghai, China.

Christopher Demas

Louisiana State University

Band

Pudong Upper School

I started playing piano in group piano class at the age of four in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Eventually, I moved to private lessons continuing through high school. In fourth grade, my school offered an after school activity for band class and I started playing trumpet. As I progressed into high school I finally was able to join band as a class for the first time where I played the French Horn.
I attended Louisiana State University and studied with Seth Orgel, James Byo and David Holland in order to earn my Bachelor in Music Education. While there, I participated in two of the concert band ensembles as well as the orchestra and opera pit orchestra. In addition, as part of my scholarships I was a member of the marching band at football games and the pep band at the school’s various inside sports teams. While at LSU I joined Kappa Kappa Psi which is a service fraternity for the band in order to better understand the workings of a top-class program. I also was able to work in the school’s instrument repair shop where I learned how to overhaul and repair instruments under the tutelage of Mark Vandermark.
I will be teaching both Instrumental and Choral MYP Music to the Upper School students. I look forward to getting to know the students at SCIS Pudong and creating a wonderful musical experience for them.

Marin Dobson

University of Wisconsin Madison

Science

Pudong Upper School

Hello! I am Marin Dobson. I teach MYP Science, DP Biology, Sports Exercise Health science, and Environmental Systems and Societies at the Pudong campus. I hail from the Badger state of Wisconsin in the United States. I have taught science at the middle and high school level for the past 18 years, while coaching basketball and volleyball at both levels as well. My teaching journey has taken me from Wisconsin to both coasts of the US, Mexico City, Jakarta, and Hawaii. My wife Kate and our two boys are super excited to be a part of the international school community and exploring the culture and experiences of China. My special interests include graphic novels, sauerkraut, kimchi, and the works of David Foster Wallace.

Connie Hedderson

Science

Pudong Upper School

Hello SCIS community! I am excited to be joining this community after teaching in the Middle East for many years. I call home a small town in Northwestern Ontario, Canada which has greatly influenced me to become an educator. I will be joining the Science Department teaching Chemistry and general science. I enjoy teaching science and watching the students discover new ideas within science. I’m looking forward to life in Shanghai and exploring all China has to offer. Outside of the classroom I enjoy playing and watching sports as well as going to the movies. I’m looking forward to a new and challenging year.

Maja Kelly

University of Belgrade

Counselor

Pudong Upper School

Hello, 您好, Bonjour, Привет and Dobar dan! My name is Maja Kelly and I am delighted to be a part of the SCIS community. As the Upper School Counselor, I am excited to be working with young people during a very important time in their lives, helping them discover their passion, pursue their dreams and achieve their goals. I was born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia and for six wonderful years I worked as the Counselor, Learning Support Specialist, IB DP Psychology and Theory of Knowledge teacher at the International School of Belgrade. Both my Bachelor's and Master's Degrees are in Psychology and I hold counseling and psychotherapy licenses from the European Association for Counseling and the European Association for Psychotherapy. My husband Bart and I are thrilled to be a part of this vibrant, cosmopolitan city, learn more about Chinese culture and explore this fascinating part of the world. I love learning new languages and have a passion for history, ethics, philosophy, literature, photography, old movies and jazz. My biggest passion, however, is my work, and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to do what I love in this warm, diverse and internationally-minded community.

Steven Lawrence

Individuals and Societies

Pudong Upper School

My name is Steve Lawrence, and I’m from a small, one-stop town at the foothills of the Berkshire mountains in upstate New York. Prior to teaching I was a small business owner of plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning, after a stinted career as a sales rep and systems designer for a Plumbing/Heating/HVAC wholesaler. Upon meeting my wife in 2006 I discovered international teaching, and soon realized I’d discover a greater sense of purpose being a teacher than digging trenches and changing toilets (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). Since becoming a teacher I’ve taught in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and am now so excited to be coming to Shanghai. I’m blessed to be teacher, and consider what we do as the best, and some of the most important work in the world. I can’t wait to meet you all, and to become your friend.

Andres Lopez

University of Salamanca

French & Spanish

Pudong Upper School

I am really enjoying being at SCIS again this year. I did Spanish with French studies at university and I teach both subjects at SCIS. I graduated (MA) in Filología Hispánica at the University of Salamanca, Spain and I immediately took off after that. I have spent the last twenty years around the world. I am originally from Spain, from the Basque region (between Spain and France). I have taught mainly in Edinburgh, Somerset, Cambridge, London, Peru and Vietnam and I have also travelled in more than forty countries. I am a mindfulness teacher who enjoys long hours basking in urban cafés. I am very happy, easy going and I have great fun in class.

Martin Mavec

Buffalo State University

Science

Pudong Upper School

I’m excited to be working at SCIS for my fourth year! I have been teaching Middle School Science for seventeen years mostly in the international setting. Prior to SCIS, I taught in the Philippines for three years, in Thailand for three years, and in Mexico for three years. My first teacher experience was in Colorado, USA where I taught Science and Social Studies for four years. I have a passion for education and love to share my scientific knowledge with others. I like the hands-on, minds-on, scientific inquiry approach to learning where my students gain an appreciation of the importance of science for understanding the world around them as well as how it contributes to their lives. Besides being an educator, I have a passion for fitness and coaching and like to share my knowledge with my students. At SCIS, I coach middle school rugby and soccer and do the conditioning for numerous sports. Outside of school, I enjoy doing activities such as mountain biking, hiking, running, traveling, reading, and learning new languages. I’m looking forward to an another fun-filled time this year at SCIS!

Daisy Mi

Bo Hai University

Mandarin Coordinator

Pudong Upper School

Ni Hao, everyone! I am Daisy Mi and I am a Mandarin teacher as well as coordinator at Pudong Upper School campus. I have been part of the SCIS family since 2007. Prior to that I taught in a local school and a Taiwanese school after graduating with my degree in education in 2005. I have the pleasure of leading the Mandarin program and I feel proud of promoting this beautiful language to students from every corner of the world. Teaching Mandarin also provides the perfect opportunity to share my passion with those around me. SCIS has already become part of my life as a big family, I feel honored to be working here and I am thrilled to be a member of such a wonderful community.

Garret Newell

University of California

Mathematics

Pudong Upper School

Hello! My name is Garret Newell and I hail from the beautiful state of California. Before moving to Shanghai in the summer of 2008, I taught in California's public schools for three years. Through my tenures there and now here at SCIS, I've been able to teach just about every high school math class one could imagine from basic Algebra and Geometry to AP Calculus and now of course Higher Level Mathematics in the IB. I love teaching mathematics because I enjoy presenting concepts to my students that explain the natural world around us. Everyday presents a new challenge and to me, thats what its all about!
When I'm not teaching or coaching soccer I typically spend my time playing soccer myself, playing a little guitar or enjoying the outdoors.
I'm happy with the opportunities my time here in Shanghai has afforded me and I'm excited to see what adventure comes next!

Dave O'Reilly

Northeastern University

Film & Economics

Pudong Upper School

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, I've worked at SCIS since 2012 and moving to Shanghai was a little bit like returning home for me. I spent most of my childhood growing up in different parts of Asia, from Bahrain to Malaysia to China, attending international schools just like SCIS. I eventually ended up in the United States for university, where I spent five years in Boston, MA. I’m a big sports fan, especially of soccer and basketball, both of which I enjoy playing and coaching. I also love traveling and listening to all sorts of music. I am fortunate enough to have one of the more unique teaching combinations at SCIS: IB Film and IB Economics. They are both extremely exciting and rewarding courses. Whether or not you are lucky enough to take Film and/or Economics, I look forward to meeting and working with you all.

Samantha Riddle

Laurentian University & University of Western Ontario

Language and Literature & Drama

Pudong Upper School

Hello SCIS Pudong! I am originally from Sudbury, Ontario where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree. My teaching certification is from the University of Western Ontario and I have experience teaching English, Social Studies and Drama. I am in the process of completing my Master’s Degree through SUNY Buffalo State University. After teaching for several years in Canada, I spent 3 years in Venezuela and I am excited to join the Dragon Community! I believe that teachers are also learners and that teachers and students should never stop trying to grow. I enjoy reading, cooking, baking and traveling. Living in South America has been a wonderful experience and my favourite travel experiences include the view from the top of Huayna Picchu in Peru and swimming with a sea lion in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

Alison Roberts

English as an Additional Language

Pudong Upper School

I’ve spent the last 8 years in China as a high school and middle school English teacher, and I am so excited to start a new chapter here in Shanghai at SCIS PuDong! I’m from the barrier island in Florida and grew up loving camping and hiking. As an English teacher, I love to read and my passion is using literature to teach language. There is nothing more satisfying to me as an educator than seeing students find a book they love - how it changes their understanding of their potential and their talents! I hope to see that moment in each of my students this year. A few of my favorite books include The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks and Through the Language Glass by Guy Deutscher

Kristen Scheiner

Learning Support Specialist

Pudong Upper School

Hello! My name is Kristen Scheiner and I am thrilled to be joining the team here at SCIS- Pudong. I grew up just outside Chicago in the city of Geneva, Illinois. After attending school at Illinois State University, where I earned a degree as a learning and behavior specialist, I started my career at Marklund Day School as a para-professional working with students on the autism spectrum. Afterwards, I moved to Kansas City where I was a middle school resource teacher for three years before accepting an offer at SCIS-Pudong. I love helping students achieve their academic goals, but the most rewarding part for me is watching students grow as they discover their individual strengths and talents. This is my first time working abroad and I look forward to all the new things life in Shanghai will bring. I know this is going to be an amazing year!

Naomi Shanks

Yale University & San Diego State University

Vice Principal

Pudong Upper School

It is an honor to serve the SCIS-Pudong family as Upper School Vice Principal. I grew up sunny San Diego, USA, but have been living and working in China since the year 2000, with over 11 years at the International School of Tianjin. I have extensive experience with all three IB programs, and also act as a visiting team member and workshop leader for the IB. I have seen how IB implementation can unify a diverse international school around a conceptually rich and rigorous curriculum with a commitment to character development and international-mindedness. After completing my B.A. in History at Yale University, I earned my M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from San Diego State University, as well as both teaching and administrative credentials through my home state of California. My education laid the foundation for a lifetime love of learning, and I expect nothing less for each and every one of our students. My daughter Mengying and I enjoy reading, storytelling, and exploring the endless wonders of our China home.

Michael Steele

Boise State University

Individuals and Societies

Pudong Upper School

Hello, my name is Michael Steele! I am excited to start the next chapter in my teaching career at SCIS. I grew up in small towns in Nevada before heading to Boise, Idaho for college. After meeting my wife Brooke, I moved to Portland, Oregon where we both lived before starting our international adventure. I am an avid cook and love to spend much of my free time shopping and cooking. Also, I enjoy playing tennis, travel, and reading. My first teaching experience was Freshmen English Composition at Boise State University, and then to challenge myself, I started teaching middle school Humanities, English, and Drama. Next I moved to a high school setting and taught Humanities, English and Drama. My first international teaching experience was in Tokyo, Japan, followed closely by Hong Kong. This year marks the start of my 20th year of teaching—a personal and professional milestone. I hope to bring my broad and diverse experiences to the SCIS community and to my students as we learn together.